*** Apologies about the dark video. I #blamedrewscancer. ***
The name Jeremiah Andrick first popped on my radar at BarCamp Seattle 2009 when I saw a fiery-haired man with dark-rimmed glasses standing on a bench in the lobby area of the Adobe Center. He was reading off conference center rules and normally this wouldn’t be worth mentioning, but this was different. He was reading off rules that anyone would already understand, yet all of the attendees were locked on him as if he were emitting some gravitational pull to which they were powerless. “Don’t… or I’ll punch you in the throat.” Each time, the entire room would explode with laughter. “This is going to be a great weekend,” I thought to myself. Turns out I was right.
BarCamp Seattle was one of the most memorable and enjoyable experiences I had in 2009; it was stimulating, educational and involved some of the most engaging and honest conversations that I’d experienced in some time. How does this relate to Jeremiah? In just a few minutes, Jeremiah set the tone for what turned out to be an amazing weekend, and I think without him standing on that bench, it may have been a very different experience altogether.
Get to know Jeremiah, wouldja? 
The Basics:
1. What is your name?
Jeremiah Andrick
2. E-mail?
jeremiahandrick at gmail dot com
3. What is your occupation/company?
Online Customer Acquisition Manager for Logitech.
4. What is the best part of your job?
I love the people and their passion for the products. We are really hungry to create great customer experiences with technology.
5. Originally from?
Crosby, North Dakota; a small town in the middle of nowhere with lots of wonderful Scandinavians. I moved here in 2005 when Microsoft hired me.
6. How can people find you on the web?
Social Media:
7. What is it about social media that attracts you?
I love meeting new people, and I find that the social media helps connect us to a more diverse set of people. But more than that, I enjoy the speed of communication and diversity of voices it attracts.
8. How do you utilize social media?
Mostly to connect with friends, plan events, and share industry information.
9. What is one thing the mainstream population should know about social media?
It can be revolutionary at a personal level. You can reconnect with your past, build a future, or make yourself a complete tool. But ultimately, like all forms of communication, it comes down to how you use it.
10. If people follow you on Twitter, what can they expect?
Lots of hipsters, sushi, and a fair amount of travel-related chit chat.
11. How would you describe the social media scene in Seattle?
Upside down pineapple cake… I love that people are interested in social media, but I would rather focus on the tech scene at large. Is social media making our tech community stronger? Are we creating new things and changing the world, or are we just being cheerleaders of the passe? I have more questions than answers, but I think that as a community we need to move away from the cheerleading. To be fair, I wrestle with this knowing I am just as guilty of it from time to time.
12. Do you remember your social media “wow” moment?
I don’t. There have been a series of moments in the last three years that I have seen projects or experiments just blow up online. For example, I raised $500 for a charity earlier this year in less than 14 hours by using Twitter and a blog post.
13. What is one piece of advice you give to new users of social media?
Humans are broken and prone to err. Don’t worry about being polished; don’t obsess about your brand; just have fun and be yourself.
14. Are you currently working on any projects that involve the use of social media?
I am always working on some kind of project that probably involves social media or the web. I have a big idea right now that I am trying to flush out, but I will keep it to myself til I figure out if it is worth pursuing.
15. Are there any social media events or conferences in the future you would like to let people know about?
I am really excited for Interactive Strategies 2009 in Houston. I am speaking on digital blight. www.is-conference.com
Just For Fun:
16. What are your hobbies?
Cooking, hockey, and hiking.
17. Favorite vacation spot? Thing to do there?
I haven’t had a real vacation in five years. But if I had to pick a place, it would probably be somewhere with a beach and no crowds.
18. Favorite restaurant in Seattle?
Rikki Rikki in Kirkland.
19. Favorite things to do in Seattle in the summer?
Hiking—I love the outdoors and really enjoy getting away to the mountains.
20. Favorite quote?
“Hammers don’t talk, Hammers don’t try, Hammers don’t promise, Hammers just do.” - A Scandinavian proverb
21. Guilty pleasure?
Gossip Girl… But don’t tell.
22. Favorite actor/actress?
hmmm… Tough question because people will read a lot into the answer. I love the Big Lebowksi, so I would say Jeff Bridges for his portrayal of “the dude.”
23. I really like it when…
“… a plan comes together.”
24. One day I would love to…
Be charming and talented.
25. If I could meet anyone, alive or dead, I would want to meet…
Lord Horatio Nelson. Obscure… Yes, but I have read a few books, and he was a very interesting and innovative leader.
26. What would you like everyone to know about you?
Sometimes, I carry. Be afraid, be very afraid.
Jeremiah Andrick Links:
- Jeremiah Andrick’s Blog: The Cubicle Punk
- Jeremiah Andrick on Twitter
- Jeremiah Andrick on Facebook
- Jeremiah Andrick on LinkedIn
- Jeremiah Andrick on Flickr
- Jeremiah Andrick’s Google Profile
- Jeremiah Andrick on YouTube
- Jeremiah Andrick on SlideShare
- Jeremiah Andrick on FriendFeed
- Jeremiah Andrick on Biznik
- Jeremiah Andrick’s Interactive Strategies 2009 Bio
VIDEO – Jeremiah Andrick: Google PR Sculpting and Nofollow Debate
Jeremiah Andrick: Google PR Sculpting and Nofollow Debate - The funniest bloopers are right here
